['lizbeth]

Linn65,

You have had a devastating blow to your health and well being.

I'm not a professional expert on the grieving process, but crying is a natural part of the emotional healing process. I cried my patooty off.

Just focus on the present moment, one step at a time. Who is your support? Do you need to step it up to another level of support? Perhaps a trusted church pastor, a good friend who understands, or a cancer counselor. Someone you can see and touch and will help you emotionally deal with the devastation that a cancer diagnosis brings?

I thought my family and friends would be my support,but I discovered they were as shocked and devastated as I was. If we learn one thing from cancer - it is optimal to seek help when we need it.

We are here for you too. I will tell you after the shock wore off, patients who came in for the weekly group acupuncture treatments at Balboa were always good for a laugh.

Retired Admiral Fran went out and collected beer bottles and filled them will apple juice. We were all sitting around the oncology conference room drinking out of our beer bottles. She had the staff convinced we were having a party. Oh - we had such a laugh! We were constantly laughing about anything and everything.